Anyone have any suggestions/tips/etc for aquascaping a barebottom tank? My tank has been down for several months (since spring) and I am setting it back up again (both circuits on the tank tripped while I was on a trip in TX, everything died). Anyways - I am starting with all new live rock and am planning to start aquascaping sometime this week. I've never liked my aquascaping in the past - it's just not something I think I am good at. Anyone have any tips or favorite layouts/etc for aquascaping a barebottom tank?

Note - I've done this several times and know the basics:* Try to keep the layout open to maintain good flow* Keep the layout assymetrical* Big rocks on bottom, smaller on top, don't create shadows* Test the stability of the rockwork as you go

I'll be using 1/2" diameter delrin rods drilled into the rockwork to keep it off the bottom as well as to create spacing and structural integrity between the rocks. Any other suggestions anyone has, or any links to pictures or guides that have helped you, would be appreciated.

It's the third time in 10+ years my tank has crashed in some way/shape/form, although this was the first time for a total tank crash (normally it just gets some of the corals). I learn more and more each time one happens, pretty soon I should have enough redundancies on my tank to protect everything and prevent anymore crashes.

going bare bottom I imagine you are shooting for an SPS dominated tank? I think lagoon style tanks are pretty excellent looking, but that may be a bit odd bare bottom. I have seen some interesting Acro islands before based around one large colony, but it limits your use of the space greatly/how many species you can have in your tank if you want to keep it clean.

I've traditionally run SPS tanks, however I'm going to try a mixed tank this time (never done the whole LPS thing). I'm primarily going barebottom as I understand it, have the equipment for it, and know how to run a successful BB tank. I'm not sure I could say the same thing about a SSB, DSB, or RDSB.

The lagoon style as I understand it involves one central island that actually juts out from the top with minimal rock aside from the central island, with plenty of open space for fish to swim. Alternatively it can involve two or three decent sized rock piles, but primarily relies on having minimal rock in the tank and lots of open space to prevent the tank from feeling crowded and give it an open feeling.The thing I like about this is that it really draws the eye to the center of the tank and showcases brilliant pieces, but its probably best for a few showpieces rather than a big mixed reef. I have no clue how it would look with a bare bottom mixed reef though, I think its probably best with just SPS on the rocks and nothing resting on the bottom to keep it clean, as it seems to focus on being minimalist. Certainly not the style of my tank though, my strategy is to just pile the rock in and leave as much room as I can for corals since I am so space limited.

I'm planning on doing it with zoos when I build my new tank. It will be a zoo lawn not a garden:) I just have to figure out how to have a sandbox hidden for my wrasse to sleep;) or perhaps I'll embrace it and add a playground as well.